Wolves extended their unbeaten run to five games but there were few other positives after a desperately drab goalless draw with Newcastle this afternoon.
Rob Edwards’ side need wins if their remote hopes of pulling off the greatest escape act in the history of the Premier League is to be realised but they were unable to find a breakthrough against a Newcastle side who move up to eighth with the point. Wolves stay bottom, 14 points adrift of safety.
The visitors’ first shot on target did not arrive until the 85th minute and home goalkeeper Jose Sa was rarely tested on an afternoon when the dismal weather matched the fare on the field.
Dire opening 45 minutes sets the tone
The first half was low on quality and goalmouth incident with Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade particularly wasteful.
The Germany international had two presentable opportunities inside the opening 15 minutes, heading the first wide from around eight yards when unmarked and twisting to send a second effort just over.
Wolves gradually grew into the game and Mateus Mane almost scored for the third successive Premier League game with a smart volley on the turn that flew straight at Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal.
The visitors remained a threat from set-pieces and Malick Thiaw saw a header blocked on the line as he rose to meet a left-wing corner at the far post.
Wolves finished the half the stronger and after Yerson Mosquera poked a low shot at Pope, Hugo Bueno saw a curling effort flash just over the bar.
Turgid second half ends in stalemate
The second half was arguably worse than the first with neither side able to create anything going forward.
A triple change that saw the introduction of Lewis Miley, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa midway through the half pepped Newcastle up slightly and they finally started to offer a degree of menace.
Kieran Trippier curled a free-kick inches wide with 10 minutes to go before Bruno Guimaraes came close five minutes later, crashing in a shot that forced a good save from Jose Sa, who got up quickly to repel Joelinton’s follow-up header.
Newcastle’s best chance arguably came deep into stoppage time when, having picked up a partially cleared ball just inside the Wolves penalty area, Guimaraes lashed a dreadful effort wide.
